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CPS Encourages Parents and Community Stakeholders to Participate in Meetings on Expanding Access to Quality Education Options in Bronzeville and North Lawndale

Parent Feedback Will Influence if CPS Moves Forward with Proposed Transition Plans to Improve Learning Environments and Provide More Space at Local Schools

January 3, 2014

CHICAGO — Chicago Public Schools (CPS) today reminded parents and community stakeholders that it will hold community meetings to receive public comment on recently proposed transition plans for Urban Prep Academy for Young Men-Bronzeville and Frazier Prep Academy Elementary School for School Year 2014¬2015 (SY14-15). The District's proposed transition plans aim to provide a more equitable distribution of space for these schools and were among recommendations included in the District's most recent Educational Facilities Master Plan (EFMP).

"Our goal is to provide every student from every neighborhood a positive learning environment that equips them with the tools they need to be 100 percent college ready and college bound," said CPS CEO Barbara Byrd-Bennett. "I encourage parents and community stakeholders to review the proposed transitions and voice their opinions during the upcoming community meetings, which will help inform our decision-making on how to provide high quality education options for the Bronzeville and North Lawndale communities."

Under the proposed transition plans, Frazier Prep, which currently shares a campus with Frazier IB, would relocate to nearby Herzl Elementary School. This move would allow Frazier IB, a Level 1 U.S. Department of Education Blue Ribbon school, to expand by adding additional seats. The recommendation to expand Frazier IB was outlined in the EFMP as a means to increase access to high-quality academic options in the North Lawndale community.

Additionally, Urban Prep would move from Drake Elementary School's building and co-locate with Doolittle Elementary School, which currently shares a campus with Chicago High School for the Arts (ChiArts). At this time, CPS is working to find a permanent facilities solution for ChiArts that meets the unique needs of the school community.

Urban Prep's proposed move also was outlined in the EFMP in conjunction with Drake's expansion as part of the District's larger strategy to increase rigorous school options in Bronzeville, which also includes the addition
of IB programs at Wells and Mollison. If approved, this transition would benefit both school communities as Drake would be able to fully utilize its current building and Urban Prep-Bronzeville would have full use of a stand-alone building on Doolittle's campus with shared access to Doolittle's auditorium and gymnasium, as needed.

The schedule for the upcoming community meetings for Urban Prep and Frazier Prep follows:

Frazier Prep Relocation
First Community Meeting
Tuesday, Jan. 7
6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Manley High School
2935 W. Polk St.

Second Community Meeting
Tuesday, Jan. 14
6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Manley High School
2935 W. Polk St.

Urban Prep Relocation
First Community Meeting
Thursday, Jan. 9
6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Dunbar High School
3000 S. King Dr.

Second Community Meeting
Thursday, Jan. 16
6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Dunbar High School
3000 S. King Dr.

In addition to community meetings, CPS will host public hearings regarding these proposals on January 23 at its downtown headquarters located at 125 S. Clark Street from 5:30 to 10:00 p.m. Those interested in viewing the proposed transition plans can visit www.cps.edu/qualityschools2014.

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Chicago Public Schools is the third largest school district in the United States with more than 600 schools and serves 371,000 children. Our vision is that every student in every neighborhood will be engaged in a rigorous, well-rounded instructional program and will graduate prepared for success in college, career and life.